Adapter for electric lamps



June 29, 1948. M. D. Esi-:TTS

ADAPTER FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS Filed Dec. 28, 1946 Il Ir III Patented June 29, 1948 FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS Mazeppa Don Betts, Rockport, Mass., assignor to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., Salem, Mass., a. corporation of Massachusetts Y Application December 28, 1946, Serial No. 719,033

2 Claims. (Cl. 176-32) This invention relates to bases for electric lamps and the like and more particularly to a base and adapter for a iluorescent Christmas tree lamp.

An object of this invention is to provide a base and adapter for a. fluorescent Christmas tree lamp. i

Another object is to provide an adapter for a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp to which a base can be securely attached.

A further object is to provide an adapter for a uorescent Christmas tree lamp which can be securely attached to the lamp bulb.

A further object is to provide a base and adapter which can be readily assembled and attached to a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp.

A further object is to provide an electrically shock-proof base for a lamp.

Further objects, advantages and features will be apparent from the following specification and drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a fluorescent Christmas tree lamp bulb with the base and adapter of my invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is an exploded view partly in section of one modification of my invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view partly in section of another modification of my invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the adapter of Figure 2, show- 3 ing the manner in which the eyelet is seated.

In the manufacture of ornamental fluorescent lamps, such as Christmas tree lamps, for example, it has been found desirable in some cases to use a substantially spherical bulb. It has been found that when a bulb of this contour is used it is not practically possible to base it with a conventional candelabra or intermediate incandescent lamp base because the diameter of the neck of the bulb is too great. To overcome this dii'lculty I have developed an adapter which may be securely attached to the bulb and to which a base or shell may be connected.

In Figure 1 the bulb I is provided with an adapter 2 secured thereto and a metallic shell 3 is secured to the adapter. The lower end of the adapter 2 is provided with an eyelet 4. The adapter-shell assembly of Figure 1 is shown in detail in Figure 2. The upper portion of the adapter 2 of insulating material consists of a cup 5 which is designed to encircle and engage the neck of the bulb I and the lower portion of the adapter consists of a sleeve 6 to which the metallic shell 3 may be lconnected. 'I'he interior of the cup 5 is provided with an annular ring l and four ribs 8 to impart a mechanical locking of the adapter to basing cement which may be used to securely connect the adapter to the bulb I. The upper portion of the sleeve 6 is provided with a plurality of elongated slots 9 disposed along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 6 and extending downwardly from the bottom of the cup 5 terminating in a plurality of holes I0. The metallic shell 3 may be secured to the sleeve 6 of the adapter by crimping the deformed portions of the shell extending through the holes I0. The lower end of the sleeve 6 of the adapter is provided with an eyelet l.

In the modification shown in Figure 3, the

adapter II is characterized by substantially the. same structural features described above with reference to the adapter 2 of Figures 1 and 2. In this modification a conventional base I2 may be employed instead of a metallic shell. Since the conventional base is provided with an insulated eyelet in the bottom thereof, the adapter II of Figure 3 diners from the adapter 2 of Figure 2 in that it is not provided with a metal eyelet at the lower end thereof.

Although the adapter may be secured to the bulb and then the shell or base secured to the adapter, I have found it more convenient to mount the shell or base on the adapter and then o secure the adapter to the bulb. In the modification shown in Figure 2, the shell 3 may be secured to the sleeve 6 of the adapter by crimping as described above or basing cement may be used. In some cases it may be desirable to employ both means. If desired the lower portion of the sleeve 6 may be externally threaded and the shell 3 screwed thereon. With reference to the modication shown in Figure 3, the several means or any combination of them, described above with reference to securing the shell 3 to the adapter 2, may be employed to secure the base I2 tothe adapter II. i

After the base or shell has been secured to the adapter, the adapter is secured to the bulb l. In performing this operation the lead-wires which extend out of the bulb I from the electrode assembly are directed into the adapter. One of these lead-wires is threaded through one of the",

crimping holes I 0. That portion of the lead-wire which extends out of the adapter through the crimping hole I0 is severed and solder is applied to the crimping hole to establish the side elec-` trical contact. In the modification shown in Figures 1 and 2 the bottom electrical contact is made by applying solder to the eyelet 4 after that portion of the lead-wire which extends beyond anatre with guide slots Il which uid in rientinl' the l Parts during the assembling operations. Although these guide slots have proven advantageous. I have also found that the elongated slots 'l can also serve as an internal orienting means.

WhatIclaimls:

l. An adapter for electric lamps comprising a cup-like member having an annular raised portion about its inner wall intermediate the rim and the bottom thereof and a plurality of ribs disposed about the bottom thereof: and a sleeve member connected to the bottom of said cupllke member, said sleeve member being provided at its upper end adjacent the cup-like member with a plurality of elongated channels extending along its longitudinal axis. the lower portion of said channels terminating in apertures in the wall of said sleeve.

2. An adapter for electric lamps comprising a cup-like member having an annular raised portion about its inner wall intermediate the rim and the bottom thereof and a plurality of ribs disposed about the bottom thereof; a sleeve member. connected to the bottom o! said cup-like member, said sleeve member being provided at its upper end adjacent the cup-like member with a plurality oi elongated channels extending along its longitudinal axis, the 'lower' portion oi.' said channels terminatlns in apertures in the wall of said sleeve; and an eyelet in the bottom of said sleeve.

' MAZEPPA ,DON BETH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

, FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 259,885 Great Britain Oct. 21, 1928 339,927 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1930 

